My little knits had a photo shoot yesterday...

...at the conservatory of flowers.  Here are some highlights

Not included: the dozens of photos of me with hair in my face.  Thanks, wind.

Divisadero, Big & Bulky

In lieu of paying for this pattern, please consider donating to your local domestic abuse advocacy center.

Materials needed:
US Size 15 (10mm) 16" circular needles
One skein of Berroco Vintage, or another worsted weight yarn of your choice, held double.  About 200 yards.
Yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
Stitch marker


Skills needed:
Knit (K)
Purl (P)
Double yarn-over (YO, YO)



Now for a very quick version of Divisadero


Method:


CO 50 stitches.  Join in the round, careful not to twist stitches.
Rounds 1-3: Knit
Round 4: Purl
Round 5: *yo, yo, k1* repeat until end of round
Round 6: Purl all, dropping the yarn overs
Repeat rounds 1-6 one time

Knit 7 rounds


Repeat rounds 1-6
Bind off.


How easy was that?


Madness:

A brief to-knit list and a wishlist of sorts

I love being around yarn all day and taking inspiration from the projects people are starting, but it threatens the very foundation of my finances -- I want to make it all.  Somebody gets yarn for a chunky triple wrap infinity scarf, I wanna make it.  Somebody gets yarn for a giant toy, I wanna make it.  I need to know where to draw the line, so I don't end up with a stash of yarn bigger than me and no plan to make a dent in it.

My new to-knit list:

woodland hoodlet by tiny owl knits

....or as I like to call it, the woodlet.  There's a hood on display at ImagiKnit and I find myself staring at it longingly so often.  But I don't really like normal scarves, with the wrapping and the knotting and the falling.  I prefer cowl, or in this case capelet, type creations.  How fantastic is this?  I don't know if I'd get daily use out of it (I'm sure Chicago would provide plenty blisteringly cold opportunities), but I just love it so much.

Aethercopter by Jocelyn Tunney

Just look at that sweet, sweet drape.  Knit in DK yarn, this would be a change from the light fingering weight shawls towards which I always gravitate.  I could wear it all day every day, and it'd be awesome in coral.  

Gin & Tonic Hat by knittedblissJC

This yarn would showcase a skein of hand-painted yarn perfectly (as it does so in the photo).  I am tempted to make another broken rib hat, but I've just done that with Tosh DK, and aren't we supposed to be pushing ourselves?  I long for this in green, which brings me to...

My new (incredibly truncated) yarn wishlist:

Tosh DK (or heavier) in Jade

Blue Sky Bulky in Fawn (1005)

Twirl in Coral Bells

Superfine Merino in Sunset

(same micron count as cashmere!  That means you get the feel of cashmere for the price of merino!)

All yarns are available at ImagiKnit :)

New design -- sneak peak

Better photos and a written pattern to come 

Don't take naps around me....

Tough break, roomie.

Mittens!

Since I learned to knit, my mother has been telling me how much she wants mittens.  At first it was subtle, but over time she's gotten more boisterous. Example:

Mom: What are you knitting?  Mittens for your momma?
Me: This is a scarf.

My mitten apprehension was not out of laziness or unwillingness to make my mom happy, it was out of fear -- fear that mittens were too hard (and gloves were just ridiculous).  But I did it!  I made a pair of mini-mittens for Christmas ornaments and graduated to full size, functional, adult mittens.  So here mom, here's your stinkin' mittens.

Warm Wool Mittens by Lion Brand Yarn

Knit with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Bouquet Heather

The pattern is a little weird, the whole fabric seems too airy.  I considered sewing in a warmer lining but my mom said it wasn't necessary.  Oh well, it's her chilly-hands funeral.

Not fully satisfied with mitten attempt version 1, I used the yarn Eddie got me for our anniversary to make myself some mittens.

Green Leaf Mittens by Amy Mercer

Knit with Tosh Sock in Baltic

Ravelry Project Page

They're still far from perfect (my thumbs are different sizes, whoops), but I love them.  They're warm and they make me feel like a crafty child.

Mods:

 Used double-stranded fingering weight instead of DK yarn

Knit the whole set in 4s to avoid too small mittens (I don't think it was necessary)

Horseshoe Cowl

I've finally gone through the last of my Giftmas yarn with this latest project, Horseshoe Lace Cowl by Sashka Macievich.  To my surprise, I already knit up this pattern in bamboo before (project page) but rest assured, wool is a much, much better choice. 

Ravelry Project Page

Knit with Cascade 220 Sport in 8992

This pattern is written for fingering yarn but I used sport weight.  I fell in love with this yarn at first sight; the color is a deep, interesting blue and it was super affordable.  The problem is that at 164 yards, there's not a whole lot of one-skein options.  I considered making some fingerless gloves but let's get real -- when I have a choice, I will almost always make a neck-thing.  

Mods:

I cast on 10 sts less for one less lace repeat

I did 5 lace repeats rather than the 8 the pattern recommended 

I used the whole skein.

The pattern really came out in blocking, and when I was knitting it I kept considering switching to stockinette because the lace wasn't showing up.  Patience, my knitting friends, patience is the key.